A close family wedding in Cana is where Jesus’ first miracle took place. Throughout the Gospel of John the signs of Jesus’ glory unfold during the wedding at Cana Scripture. The significance of the wedding at Cana is one reason why Marriages of Grace, a nonprofit endorsed by the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland, created Cana Nights – a bimonthly fellowship that supports enriching marriages.
Cana Nights are “date nights” designed to provide couples the opportunity to learn about a topic centered in Catholic teaching that is related to marriage in a relaxed setting.
On July 12, Marriages of Grace welcomed Father Patrick Schultz as the featured speaker at Cana Night at Slyman’s Tavern in Independence. It became standing room only with more than 60 couples hearing how to root their marriage in the Gospel.
Tanis Merimee, founder of Marriages of Grace, said Cana Nights are similar to the structure of Theology on Tap. “We are harnessing the resources of our seminary professors, diocesan priests and deacons to evangelize and educate what holy love truly is,” she said.
In less than an hour, Father Schultz dove into the realities of today’s culture and how that spills over into the pressures of everyday life.
He began by asking a very real, pointed question: “Do you have anxiety of having kids who enter our culture today?” And, “Don’t you wonder what the world would look like if it just could heal itself?”
Father Schultz continued by focusing on Scripture in the books of Genesis, Romans, Revelation, Wisdom and the Gospel of John to demonstrate that the world is shaped by people. “The call is that you and I, and through marriage, need to raise up a culture of shaping saints.”
He stressed that using half-hearted measures throughout the daily routine and actions either at home, work, or through other encounters is not enough. “We need to be rooted and return to Jesus.
Earlier this summer, Bishop Nelson Perez addressed all pastors, clergy and religious in a formal letter asking them to lend support and welcome initiatives launched by Marriages of Grace, such as Cana Night, into their parish communities.
The bishop made an impromptu visit to the Cana Night event to hear Father Schultz and support the board members of Marriages of Grace, who have dedicated years to growing and cultivating this ministry.
For more than a decade, Marriages of Grace has provided an annual daylong marriage enrichment retreat that focuses on how Catholic couples may create a prayerful environment and seek to live joyful, vibrant marriages that are centered on Christ.
Readers may listen online to Friday’s topic presented by Father Schultz, “How to Root your Marriage in the Gospel.”
Those interested in Marriages of Grace can follow the group on Facebook or on Twitter at @MarriagesOfG
Listen to Father Schultz' presentation and slides via the player below: